Adjustable storage rack

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an adjustable storage rack for storing small objects which includes a pair of upright end walls coupled by a set of telescopic sections that forms an inclined shelf portion and a back portion and permits adjustments of the width of the apparatus. The telescopic sections are elevated above a support surface upon which the storage shelf rests so that the weight of objects placed on the shelf portion produces friction between the telescopic elements and prevents unwanted changes in the width of the shelf.

te States tent I 1191 1111 Iaseases Franklin Nov. 26, 1974 [5 ADJUSTABLE STORAGE RACK 3,303,936 2/1967 Barnawell 211/134 [76] Inventor: Allen R. Franklin, 84 Bristers Hill d Concord, Mass Q1742 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts Filed: Sept. 1972 Attorney, Agent, or FzrmJohn E. Toupal [21] Appl. No.: 286,153 [57] ABSTCT [52] US. Cl. 211/134, 211/43 [51] Int. Cl. A47t 5/10 [58] Field 011 Search 211/134, 175, 43, 128, 211/90, 105.3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,069,411 8/1913 Greene 211/90 X 1,596,812 8/1926 Curtis et al. 211/134 X 1,682,060 8/1928 Banks 211/43 3,149,726 9/1964 Magers 211/134 Disclosed is an adjustable storage rack for storing small objects which includes a pair of upright end walls coupled by a set of telescopic sections that forms an inclined shelf portion and a back portion and permits adjustments of the width of the apparatus. The telescopic sections are elevated above a support surface upon which the storage shelf rests so that the weight of objects placed on the shelf portion produces friction between the telescopic elements and prevents unwanted changes in the width of the shelf.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE STORAGE RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to shelving and, more particularly, to an adjustable storage shelf for storing small items such as paperback books and magnetic recording tape cartridges and cassettes.

Books of all varieties are now available in small pocket-size paperback editions and, inasmuch as paperback books are generally inexpensive in comparison with hard bound volumes of the same title, many people today buy paperback books even if their use of the book is to be continued or repeated. Prior to the proliferation of paperback books, persons usually sought books such as novels that were not likely to be reread soon and occasionally used reference books in public libraries. Today, however, many persons are building substantial libraries of paperback books and this accumulation of books has created storage problems.

Storage has become a problem because paperback books are very small and lightweight and few readily available shelves are suitable to efficiently hold and display paperback books. For example, large book shelves that are commonly available waste substantial space between the tops of paperback books and the next shelf and also space behind the books is wasted. In addition, shelves are commonly quite long and thus provide far more shelf space than is needed by many paperback owners because a shelf that may hold only a few hard bound books can store dozens of paperback books. Furthermore, the light weight of paperback books has compounded the problem. For example, when removing one paperback book from a row, each book is so lightweight that the adjacent books are often displaced. In addition, the light weight renders the books sensitive to motion of the shelf so when a bookcase is moved during cleaning an entire row of paperback books may be displaced, or even fall from the shelf.

The trend toward miniaturization in our society has not been confined to books. For example, magnetic recording tapes are now commonly supplied in cassettes and cartridges similar in size and weightto a paperback book. Thus, storage problems similar to those described above are evident fr many objects in addition to paperback books.

The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a storage shelf particularly adapted for storing small items such as paperback books and recording tape cassettes and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is characterized by an adjustable storage rack including a pair of upright end walls connected by a set of telescopic sections. Each of the telescopic sections is a plate bent at a 90 angle along a longitudinal axis and each plate has opposite edges parallel to the axis with one of the edges serving as a received edge and the other edge in an open hemmed configuration to receive a mating received edge of the associated section. The 90 bend provides a back portion in addition to the shelf portion, and the telescopic sections are mounted on the end walls in a sloped configuration so that objects placed on the shelf portion are urged toward the back portion. The shelf assembly is sized so as to be particularly useful for storing paperback books and similarly small items such as recording tape cassettes and cartridges. This shelf configuration is advantageous inasmuch as it is small in size and thus can be conveniently placed on small surfaces such as dresser tops, desks or window sills and thus is particularly useful to persons occupying small living quarters such as college dormitories or apartments. The telescopic design and the formation of the telescopic sections from bent metallic sheets assure manufacturing simplicity. Inasmuch as the shelf is adjustable, a neatly packed row of books or cassettes is provided, yet as more books or cassettes are acquired they can be stored without the necessity of adding more shelf units. The weight of objects placed on the shelf creates friction between the telescopic sections and thus the shelf remains at a preselected width as items are removed from the shelf and replaced thereon. The problems of adjacent objects being displaced when an object is removed from the shelf and of displacing objects when the shelf is moved are alleviated by providing a sloped shelf coupled with a back. Objects placed on the shelf are urged toward the back and thus cradled in the desired position and are unlikely to be displaced as an adjacent object or the shelf is moved.

Another preferred embodiment of the shelf apparatus comprises tall vertical end walls that support the telescopic shelf structure approximately 8 inches above the supporting surface and include a base that rests on the supporting surface. This embodiment is particularly advantageous to libraries and other persons with tall shelves who wish to store paperback books or other small items. The lower row of books rests between the end walls on the supporting surface and the base portions, and an upper row of books is stored on the telescopic sections between the upper portions of the end walls. The advantages mentioned above are evident in this embodiment. For example, friction is still provided between the telescopic sections and thus unwanted changes in width are prevented.

Still another preferred embodiment of the invention is an adjustable storage shelf with tall vertical end walls joined by two sets of telescopic sections vertically displaced by approximately 8 inches. Thus, a multiple tier shelf structure is provided that exhibits the advantages described with respect to the single tier embodiment. This embodiment is particularly useful for college students and apartment dwellers inasmuch as a two or three tier shelf can be conveniently placed on a small desk top or dresser and yet, due to the small vertical spacing between the shelves, it will remain stable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and objects of the present invention will become more apparent upon a perusal of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is an elevation view of a preferred adjustable storage rack;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the storage rack depicted in FIG. 1 taken along the lines 2-2;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of another preferred storage rack that is particularly suitable for library use, and

FIG. 4 is a frontal elevation view of yet another preferred adjustable storage shelf apparatus comprising two tiers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown an adjustable storage rack 21 holding, by way of illustration, a single book 22. Left and right vertical end walls 23 and 24 respectively are coupled by a set of telescopic sections 25. The left telescopic section 26 includes a back portion 27, a shelf portion 28 and a mounting flange 29. Similarly, a right telescopic section 31 includes a back portion 32, a shelf portion 33 and a mounting flange 34. As shown most clearly in FIG. 2 the back portions 27 and 32 are separated from the shelf portions 28 and 33 by a 90 bend along a fold line on a longitudinal axis. The telescopic sections 26 and 31 can be made of metal or plastic plates and, as shown in FIG. 2, the left section 26 is affixed to the left end wall 23 by screws 35. The right section 31 is affixed to the right wall 24 by screws that are not shown. An upper open hemmed edge 36 of the right section 31 receives a closed hemmed received edge 37 of the left section 27. The closed hem is provided on the edge 37 to add extra thickness and thus provide friction between the received edge and the open hemmed edge 36. If it is necessary to cover sharp edges, all edges of the telescopic sections 26 and 31 can be hemmed similarly to the edge 37. Interlocking of the telescopic sections 26 and 31 is completed by an open hemmed edge 38 of the left telescopic section that receives a received edge 39 of the right telescopic section. Thus the telescopic sections 26 and 31 are longitudinally slidable.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the front edge 41 of the set of telescopic sections 25 is in an elevated position with respect to the longitudinal axis 42 that runs along the 90 fold line. Thus objects such as the book 22 are urged toward the back sections 27, 32 and held securely in the adjustable storage shelf 21. A center support 43 can be affixed near the longitudinal axis 42 of shelf units 21 wit long telescopic sections 26, 31. As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, the center support 43 is above the lower side of the end walls 23 and 24 so that some flexing of the set of telescopic sections 25 is necessary before the center support 43 is effective. This is desirable inasmuch as slight stress on the telescopic sections 26 and 31 produces friction therebetween and thus assures that the shelf remains at the preselected width as objects are removed therefrom. On the lower sides of the end walls 23 and 24 and the center support 43 and pads 44 that can be composed of materials such as cork, felt or rubber. The shelf portion of the set of telescopic sections 25 is approximately 3 to inches deep and thus adapted for storage of paperback books, tape cartridges and cassettes and objects of similar size.

During use of the adjustable storage shelf 21 it is set in a desired location, such as on a desk or dresser, and the width is set by slidably adjusting the set of telescopic sections 25. Then the objects to be stored are placed on the shelf 21 as the book 22 is shown. Presumably the shelf will be adjusted so that the stored objects span the entire space between the end walls 23 and 24. As more objects are acquired the shelf is continually adjusted to greater widths. It will be noted that the shelf assembly 21 can be conveniently moved even when full, inasmuch as the tilted shelf configuration with the back portion permits the objects such as the book 22 to be cradled and thus they are unlikely to fall out during movement. Similarly, the stored objects are unlikely to be displaced as an adjacent object is removed. The thickness of the telescopic sections 26 and 31 is greatly exaggerated in FIG. 2 for purposes of clarity. Indeed, one of the advantages of the set of bent telescopic sections 25 is that the shelf can be fabricated from thin metal or plastic.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown another adjustable shelf unit 51 that is particularly adapted for use in libraries. A left vertical end walll 52 is composed of wood, plastic or a heavier gauge metal and includes a base portion 53 with a cork or felt pad 54 on the lower side thereof. A right vertical end wall 55, similarly constructed with a base portion 56 and a pad 57, is connected by a set of telescopic sections 25 identical to that set shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The spacing between the telescopic sections 25 and the base portions 53 and 56 is approximately 8 inches. Thus when the shelf apparatus 51 is set on a support surface of a row of small objects can rest upon the support surface and the base portions between the end walls 52 and 55. The 8-inch dimension is chosen as being particularly adapted for storage of items such as paperback books and tape cartridges and cassettes. However, it can be varied to suit the needs of the user. An upper row of objects is stored on the telescopic sections 25 just as objects were stored on the shelf 21.

The adjustable storage shelf apparatus 51 is particularly suited for use in libraries inasmuch as metallic end walls 52 and 55 reduce costs and thus permit smaller books to be displayed on large existing shelves by effectively doubling the shelf space at low cost. The telescopic sections 25 are affixed to the end walls 52 and 55 in a sloped position by nuts and bolts in place of the screws 35 shown in FIG. 2. Versatility is provided by supplying end walls 52 and 55 with a plurality of sets of bolt holes so that the height of the telescopic sections 25 can be adjusted. The base portions 53 and 56 are constructed so that their ends are in contact when the set of telescopic sections 25 are at their minimum width. Thus, maximum support of the structure 51 is provided.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown still another adjustable storage shelf apparatus 61 with two vertical end walls 62 and 63 with pads therebeneath. The end walls 62 and 63 are connected by two sets of adjustable telescopic sections 25 that are identical to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and mounted in the sloped position as shown in FIG. 2. The two sets of telescopic sections 25 are vertically spaced apart by approximately 8 inches and thus the shelf apparatus 61 is adapted to support two rows of small objects such as paperback books or tape cartridges and cassettes. The width of the storage shelf 61 is changed by slidably adjusting the sets of telescopic sections 25 simultaneously.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable storage rack comprising:

a pair of upright walls;

a shelf assembly comprising a set of telescopic sections connecting said end walls and permitting adjustment of the spacing between said end walls, each of said telescopic sections comprising a plate bent at substantially 90 along a longitudinal axis to form a shelf portion for supporting articles and a back portion for retaining articles supported by said shelf portion, each of said telescopic sections including as opposite edges parallel to said longitudinal axis a received edge and an open hemmed edge, said received edge of each said telescopic section being received by said open hemmed edge of another of said telescopic sections and being longitudinally slidable therein, and wherein said shelf assembly is so mounted on said end walls that the front edges of said shelf portions are slightly elevated relative to said longitudinal bends.

2. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein said telescopic sections are metallic plates.

3. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein said end walls comprise base means adapted for positioning on a support surface and said shelf assembly is disposed such that said shelf portions are approximately 8 inches above the support surface.

4. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 5 wherein said shelf portions have a depth of between 3 and 5 inches.

5. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein said shelf assembly further comprises additional telescopic sections also connected between said end walls and permitting adjustment of the spacing therebetween, said additional telescopic sections being vertically displaced from said set of telescopic sections and each comprising a shelf portion for supporting articles and a back portion for retaining articles supported by said shelf portion.

6. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 5 wherein shelf portions of said additional telescopic sections are vertically displaced by approximately 8 inches from said shelf portions of said set of telescopic sections.

7. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 6 wherein said shelf portions have a depth of between 3 and 5 inches.

8. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein one of said received edges comprises a closed hem.

9. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein said set of telescopic sections comprises center support means for supporting the center of said set of telescopic sections. 

1. An adjustable storage rack comprising: a pair of upright walls; a shelf assembly comprising a set of telescopic sections connecting said end walls and permitting adjustment of the spacing between said end walls, each of said telescopic sections comprising a plate bent at substantially 90* along a longitudinal axis to form a shelf portion for supporting articles and a back portion for retaining articles supported by said shelf portion, each of said telescopic sections including as opposite edges parallel to said longitudinal axis a received edge and an open hemmed edge, said received edge of each said telescopic section being received by said open hemmed edge of another of said telescopic sections and being longitudinally slidable therein, and wherein said shelf assembly is so mounted on said end walls that the front edges of said shelf portions are slightly elevated relative to said longitudinal bends.
 2. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein said telescopic sections are metallic plates.
 3. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein said end walls comprise base means adapted for positioning on a support surface and said shelf assembly is disposed such that said shelf portions are approximately 8 inches above the support surface.
 4. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein said shelf portions have a depth of between 3 and 5 inches.
 5. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein said shelf assembly further comprises additional telescopic sections also connected between said end walls and permitting adjustment of the spacing therebetween, said additional telescopIc sections being vertically displaced from said set of telescopic sections and each comprising a shelf portion for supporting articles and a back portion for retaining articles supported by said shelf portion.
 6. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 5 wherein shelf portions of said additional telescopic sections are vertically displaced by approximately 8 inches from said shelf portions of said set of telescopic sections.
 7. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 6 wherein said shelf portions have a depth of between 3 and 5 inches.
 8. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein one of said received edges comprises a closed hem.
 9. An adjustable storage rack according to claim 1 wherein said set of telescopic sections comprises center support means for supporting the center of said set of telescopic sections. 